How to Repair Glass Mirrors

Repair simple cracks with a re-silvering kit.

Push aside myths related to broken mirrors and bad luck by re-silvering a damaged looking glass to its original condition or better. Re-silvering restores the reflective surface of a glass so light bounces off the surface evenly. The best candidates for repairing a mirror with re-silvering techniques are antique mirrors and smaller mirrors that are not shattered. Because of the cost to re-silver a mirror, replacing a shattered or large mirror may be more economical.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror cleaner
• Micro-fiber cloth
• Rubber gloves
• Safety goggles
• Gas mask
• Re-silvering kit
• Acetone-based varnish remover, if needed
• Nitric acid, if needed
• Water
• Dry cloth

Instructions

1. Clean the mirror with a household mirror cleaner. Use a micro-fiber cloth to remove the cleanser and dry the mirror.

2. Remove the original backing and silver, if needed, from the mirror while wearing rubber gloves, safety goggles and a gas mask. If your re-silvering kit does not come with the chemicals to remove the backing from a mirror, use an acetone-based varnish remover. Use a mixture of water and nitric acid to remove the silver from a mirror.

3. Clean the mirror’s glass with the cleanser that comes with a re-silvering kit. The kit should also come with a special cloth or towel to wipe off the cleanser.

4. Place the glass on a level surface and apply the re-silvering mixture that comes in the kit.

5. Apply the silver backing to the mirror and allow it to set for 10 minutes. The solution will initially look clear but will turn a silver color as it dries.

6. Rinse the mirror under cold water, wipe the surface with a cloth gently and allow the mirror to dry.

7. Apply the dark paint that comes in the re-silvering kit to the back of the mirror. Allow the paint to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• It is best to work in an area that has a drain an access to running water.

• Re-silvering a mirror can make blemishes and scratches in the glass more noticeable.

• If possible, leave the old silver on a mirror and remove the backing.

• Practice re-silvering on discarded or inexpensive mirrors

• Some mirrors were made with mercury and other toxins. Be extremely careful as you remove the original silver from a mirror. Dispose of the original silver according to your city waste department’s recommended methods.

• Do not touch the mirror with your bare hands while re-silvering a mirror.

References

• Refinish Furniture: How to Resilver a Mirror Quickly, Easily and Cheaply
• Mirror Repair: Mirror Restoration Steps
• Noval Glass: How to Resilver a Mirror